Poultry Flashcards
1
Q
What is domestication
A
A species that has been genetically altered through selective breeding to suit a human need
2
Q
What are the requirements of domestication
A
- Tolerate the presence of humans
- Bred in captivity
- Thrive in confinement
- Provide a benefit to humans
3
Q
What animal did poultry domestication start from
A
Red jungle fowl
4
Q
What are the main products from poultry in Canada
A
- Table eggs
- Broilers (meat chicken)
- Turkeys (meat only)
- Ducks
- Quail/fowl
5
Q
Why use an integrated production system?
A
To secure the supply chain.
Breeders make the chicks, chicks turn to a hen and lay eggs, chicks grow to produce meat
6
Q
What are Shaver “Starcross 288)
A
New strain developed
- High vigour concept
- Produce more food at a lower cost for the better of human kind
7
Q
What does phenotype depend on
A
Genotype + environment
8
Q
What advancements in health were made back then
A
Concentration of birds = bigger impact of diseases
- Emergence of vaccination
- Sanitary standards = cleaning and disinfection
- use and overuse of antibiotics
- BIOSECURITY
9
Q
What is layer vertical integration?
A
primary breeder farms
I
hatchery
I
breeding flock farm
I
hatchery
I
pullet farms
I
layer farms
I
egg grading/processing
10
Q
Is the poultry market global?
A
Yes
11
Q
What was supply management system authorized by
A
The 1972 Farm Products Agencies Act with AAFC responsible
12
Q
What are the different supply management poultry companies
A
- Egg Farmers of Canada
- Turkey Farmers of Canada
- Chicken Farmers of Canada
- Canadian Hatching Egg Producers
- Canadian Dairy Commission
13
Q
What is supply management
A
Supply production is managed to meet the demands of the Candian market
- how much is produced and by who
- controls imports and exports
- controls price
14
Q
Benefits vs drawbacks of supply management
A
Benefits
- Security for producers
- stability for consumers
Drawbacks
- limited access to world market
- limited competition for retailers and consumers
15
Q
What is egg quota
A
-Gives the right to produce and sell eggs at the prices set by the board
- need to adhere to the board’s rules and regulations
16
Q
What flocks don’t need quota
A
Small flocks - less than 500 hens
17
Q
What is the quota priced/maintained for poultry
A
1 hen accounts for 1 unit of quota
- to maintain quota each hen is required to lay 25.44 dozen eggs (or 306 eggs)
- Price of quota varies across provinces and can be fixed. by the boards if needed - they can be sold and exchanged
18
Q
What do farmers have to adhere to
A
The code of practice for pullets and laying hens
they have to follow programs, inspections and certifications
19
Q
What cage production is being phased out and replaced by
A
The “standard cage” is being phased out by
- enriched colony cage systems
- floor (free run)
- aviaries
- free range (access to outdoors)
20
Q
What is a conventional cage system
A
Hens are kept in small, wire cages arranged in tiers within a controlled environment. Each cage houses multiple birds
21
Q
What is an enriched colony cage system
A
A modified version of conventional cages, provide more space per bird and include perches, nest boxes, and scratching areas.
22
Q
What are open floor systems
A
Hens are housed indoors in large barns with open floor space covered in litter. They can move freely and may have perches and nesting boxes
23
Q
What are aviary systems
A
A multi-tiered system inside a barn where birds can move between levels. It combines elements of free-run systems with structured perching and nesting areas
24
Q
What are free-range systems
A
Similar to open-floor systems but with access to an outdoor area where hens can forage, dust bathe, and exhibit natural behaviors
25
How much more eggs does USA produce
11 times that of Canada
26
Broiler production in Canada
- 1.3 million tonnes in 2022 of broiler production
- more than 60% broilers produced in Ontario
27
How is broiler production managed
- Supply managed
- quota assigned in Kg produced
28
How is broiler industry segmented
Segmented into hatching eggs (broiler breeders) & hatcheries and growers (chicken producers)
but still very integrated
29
Vertical integration for broilers
primary breeder
I
breeder hatchery
I
breeder farms
I
hatcheries
I
broiler growers
I
processing plant
all integrated into feed mill, transportation and marketing
30
What are breeder farms
- breeder farms raise the parent stock (broiler breeders)
- Breeding stocks produce fertile hatching eggs
- offspring will become broilers for production
31
What are hatcheries
- specialized facility to hatch fertile eggs from breeder farms
- eggs are incubated, hatched and chicks are delivered to farmers
32
What are broiler farms
- newly hatched chicks are transported to contracted growout farms
- farmers provide the barn, water, utilities, bedding, labor and management
- have contracts with processor
- integrator provides chicks, feed, pharmaceuticals and service techs to assist farmer
33
What is further processing of broilers
can be processed into different types of food
34
How many turkey farmers are there
513
35
Turkey production in Canada
- supply managed
- turkey farmers of canada/ontario
- much smaller industry
- turkey consumption tends to be seasonal
36
How does the vertical integration of the turkey industry differ from the broiler industry
have brooder farms and turkey growout farms
37
What are the unique aspects of turkey production
- Growth potential (genetics) packed in male lines
- Breeder toms are WAY TO BIG for natural mating so AI is used
- males and females raised separately
- most growers will have a brooding section in the barn and a finishing section
38
What is the stomach called in a chicken
the crop
39
Which structure of the chicken digestive tract is responsible for the absorption of most nutrients?
The small intestine
40
Which structure of the chicken digestive tract is responsible for the physical grinding of food?
The gizzard
41
During egg formation, what is deposited onto the forming egg in the Magnum and Isthumus?
Egg white is deposited onto the forming egg in the magnum and egg shell membrane onto the isthumus
42
The right side of the heart pumps blood to the _____ to ______
Lungs, get oxygenated
43
During artificial insemination, the semen collected from Rooster is mixed with an extender to
Maximize the number of hens inseminated per ejaculate
Enhance sperm survival
44
What is breathing and gas exchange dependent on?
Pressure differences
45
what are the bird ventilation organs
They use 9 airsacs and the lungs are rigid
46
How is the respiritaory system used for thermoregulation
- Most efficient way to lose heat is through evaporation
- Panting helps with thermoregulation
47
What is involved for waste removal for birds
Processing waste : Liver
- chemical processing/detoxification
Excreting waste: Kidney
- selective excretion
Volatile substances are removed via the lungs
48
How does the heart move supplies and waste around
pump delivering blood to organs through vessels
49
How do the lungs move supplies and waste around
Lung circulation allows for gas exchange and involves the right side of the heart
50
How does systematic circulation move supplies and waste around
Systematic circulation provides O2 to tissues and removes CO2 (involves left side of the heart)
nutrients, hormones, immune cells all use the blood to reach their targets
51
What is the average body temp of a bird
41-45 C
52
T or F: Humans have a higher metabolic rate than birds
False
53
What is the average heart rate in birds
up to 400 bpm
54
What are the heart size and blood volume in birds
Blood volume is proportional to the size of the body and the heart is proportional too
55
What is the strain on the cardiovascular system for fast growing broilers
- oversized muscle mass
- demand for O2 exceeds the heart capacity
- increased heart rate and blood pressure to compensate
- Fluid leaks out of capillaries = Ascites
56
How does the ovulation rate work
1 ovulation a day = 1 egg a day
57
How many eggs can modern layers lay
They can lay well over 330 eggs in 365 days
58
What do biological processes depend on for most poultry
Photoperiod- most poultry species are photoperiodic
59
What does poultry species being photoperiodic entail
- reproduction depends on day-length
- Involves photoreceptors in the brain
- red light is the best to stimulate photoreceptors
60
What are the metabolic inputs of a bird for egg production
- Liver metabolism switches to produce yolk lipoproteins
- Amino acids diverted to albumen production
- = 3g of calcium for the egg shell
61
What happens if pullets dont have adequate metabolic inputs in time for egg production
"Cage layer fatigue" = calcium deficiency
- reduced skeletal integrity (osteoporosis)
62
What can metabolic triggers be linked to for poultry during egg production
energy level and adipose tissue
63
What is more energetically demanding, eggs or sperm?
Eggs
64
Where are the testes in birds
They are inside the abdominal cavity by the kidneys
65
At what temperature does spermatogenesis happen
at 42 C
66
Sperm storage in hens
Hens can store sperm in tubules for several days
- No need to have a copulation/insemination everyday
- when using AI, twice a week is standard practice
67
Characteristics of the skeleton in birds
- Provides structural support
- Source of calcium during egg formation
- Grows proportionally to the rest of the body
- Has to be resistant and fully grown and ready before entry in lay
68
What is genotype
The DNA variants responsible for the expression of the phenotype
69
What is mendelian inheritance
Inheritance on a single gene with two alleles
70
In terms of heterologous sex chromosomes, what is the main difference between
mammals and birds?
Female sex chromosones are heterologous (ZW) and males are homologous (ZZ)
importance based on what is encoded on the Z and W chromosomes
71
Example of importance based on what the sex chromosome encodes
Feathering alleles only carried by the Z chromosome, not the W
72
How does the environment affect single vs multiple trait selection
Single Trait Selection:
* Rapid progress
* Least adapted to the environment
Multiple Trait Selection:
* More traits = slower progress
* Better suited to accommodate for sub-optimal environmental conditions
73
Which genetic
selection program would be the most economically beneficial in the longer term, “singletrait selection” or “multiple trait selection”? Can you find a practical example?
Multiple trait selection would be the most economically beneficial in the long term because it accounts for both genetic and environmental influences on multiple economically important traits, rather than focusing on just one.
74
What is heritability?
The proportion of variability within a population that can be attributed to inherited genetic factors as opposed to environmental ones
75
What is low heritability vs high heritability
Low: low transmission to the next generation
High: high transmission to the next generation
76
Why is heritability estimated
It is estimated for all measured phenotypes to asses their usefulness for selection
77
What is progeny testing
Works under the assumption that parents of superior progeny pass down 'better' genes than the population average would predict
78
What may altering genetics for growth result in
poor reproduction
79
Why might controlled growth be a welfare concern
If growth is controlled by feed restriction it can be a welfare concern
80
Define inbreeding and the risks associated with it
The breeding of closely related individuals causing higher rates of homozygosity
Reduces survival and fertility of offspring and is a major issue for pure and pedigree lines
81
What has divergent breeding led to?
Divergent breeding has led to the selection of layer strains for table egg production and broiler strains for meat production
82
What is the focus physiologically for layers
Focus on egg production (number, size, quality)
83
What is the focus physiologically for broilers and turkeys
Meat production (growth rate, muscle mass)
84
What are the main criteria (phenotypes) used for the selection of layers?
Selection foocus on increasing the number of eggs per cycle
--> earlier sexual maturation
--> extended laying cyle
and egg quality and uniformity
--> Grade A = 60 g
--> shell quality
85
What steroid is produced during sexual maturation
Estradoil (E2)
86
What is estradiol (E2) important for
- Stimulates the liver to switch lippoprotein production towards egg yolk
- Stimulates Ca absorption in the gut
- Switches bone growth from Ca deposition for structural support and strength to having Ca available for egg shell formation
87
What is a risk associated with early sexual maturation
If maturation occurs too early, it puts skeletal integrity at risk because of the estradiol production
also risk of osteoporosis and cage layer fatigue
88
Why do laying hens rely on long bones
They rely on long bones for Ca store for eggshell formation
High-producing hens at risk of Ca deficiency
89
What was the traditional housing environment layers were selected for
Until recently, layers were selected for production in cages
90
Why cant you just put layers on the ground in aviaries
This results in major health and behaviour problems
- unfit for the environment, increased aggression
91
What are the main criteria (phenotypes) used for the selection of broilers?
main criteria is fast growth and meat quality
92
Why do broiler breeders have poor reproductive preformance
because they invest all the energy into body growth and fat
93
What risks does fast growth increase?
Fast growth increases risk of leg problems and mortality
94
What are the health problems associated with fast growth in broilers
- Feet and leg problems like dermatitis and hock burns
- lack of proper hierarchical development of follicles leads to ovarian cysts with no eggs
95
why is male agression a problem in broiler breeders
- Broiler breeder production relies on natural mating
- BUT, young males may be unfit for mating and instead agress females leading to injury
- Problem in mostly genetic and strain dependent
96
How much does a mature turkey breeder hen weigh at 28- 30 weeks?
10-13 kg
97
How much does a mature turkey breeder tom weigh at 28- 30 weeks?
up to 30 kg
98
Is natural mating possible in turkeys? Why or why not?
No natural mating is impossible because the male is way too large, and AI has to be used
99
Do turkeys or chickens have the better reproductive capacity
Chickens
100
What is the reproductive capacity of a turkey
130 eggs max per hen
101
Where does the embryo develop
the embryo develops in the egg without external sourced of nutrients, everything is packed in
102
What is the energy source for the embryo
mostly the yolk (lipids, carbs)
103
What is the protein source for the embryo
egg white and egg yolk
104
What vitamins are in the yolk
liposoluble vitamins (A,D,E,K)
105
What vitamins are in the albumen
water-soluble vitamins (B,C)
106
What minerals are in the shell
calcium
107
What does the formation of the yolk sac produce
digestive enzymes
108
What is allantois
the embryonic bladder, segregating waste products
109
What is the amnion
physical protection of the embryo
110
What is significant to embryonic development
- Proper nutrition for the hen
- supplements in hens diet
- Antibodies are passed on by hen
111
What is the most critical period of a chickens life
Hatch
112
How can chicks survive for a week with no feed
on the residual yolk sac
113
What is critical at hatch
Early access to feed and water, and photoschedule of 20-24h during to first few days to encourage eating
114
What does a chick need to consume when it is hatched
- Energy in the form of fat/oil
- Amino acids
- Vitamins A, D, and E
- Minerals (phosphorus and calcium)
- Water
115
How do farmers provide hydration and basic nutrients in the hatchery
They provide it through gel-like compounds
116
How do farmers stimulate eating for chicks in the hatchery
Through coloured gel
117
What does a chicks needs for protein and amino acids depend on
Its needs depend on growth rate and tissue deposition
118
What are the sourced of proteins and amino acids for chicks
Proteins are generally from vegetal sources, amino acid may be synthetic or purified when supplemented
119
How can level of energy be managed in chicks
The level of energy can be changed by the incorporation of fat
120
What does energy requirement depend on
Energy requirement depends on the environment (temperature, activity level)
121
Which strain of poultry requires more calcium in their feed?
Layers
122
When is the most crucial time to feed the most calcium and why
The need for extra calcium starts at the time of sexual maturation, since calcium is required for egg formation and feeding more Ca during pullet stage results in it not being absorbed and simply becoming waste
123
What else needs to be fed alongside calcium
Vitamin D because it helps with absorption
124
What is a typical diet for growing chicks
18% chick starter/grower
125
How much feed does a broiler consume from 0 to 8 weeks of age
Consumes about 8 kg of feed total per bird
126
How much feed does a pullet consume from 0 to 4 weeks of age
Consumes about 1 kg of feed total per bird
127
What is the typical diet for a growing pullet
16% pullet grower
128
How much feed does a pullet consume from 4 to 17 weeks of age
about 6 kg total per bird
129
What is the typical diet for a laying hen
18% Layer (pellet/crumble)
130
How might medication be incorporated
Through feed and water
131
Where is medication incorporated into feed and water
in feed at the level of the mill and in water is done on farm
132
What might antibiotics be used for and why
As a growth promoter
because antibiotics control the growth of gut microbiota to promote the utilization of nutrients
133
During the juvenile growth period, the diet composition differs between layer and broiler birds. Why would that be? What is the main difference (which ingredient)?
Broiler birds have higher protein content since they are intended for rapid growth and development
134
Define “essential amino acids”. Can you list 2 of these essential amino acids for chickens?
Essential amino acids are amino acids that an organism cannot synthesize in sufficient quantities and must obtain from its diet.
-Methionine
-Lysine
135
Water quality requirements
Needs to be clean (pathogen and toxin free)
Need to be cool
Source depends on location
136
What are the different types of water locations and their commonality
- Water main supply (rare in rural areas)
- Well water (often)
- Ponds (not ideal)
137
How much water should poultry drink
2-3 liters per kg of dmi
so typically 0.2 -0.6 litres/day
138
How is water quality ensured
- Water can be treated /conditioned and needs to be regularly tested
- Filtration systems remove sediments and some macromolecules
- Chemical treatments may be used
139
What do chemical treatments for water rely on
Chemical treatments rely on the use of acids, bleach, and peroxides (need to adjust pH)
140
What is a big problem when it come to water filtration
Biofilms form on the inner surfaces of the tubes and need to be flushed and cleaned between flocks
141
What makes up the energy component in the poultry diet
60-80% energy: Corn, barley, wheat, fat)
142
What makes up the protein component in the poultry diet
15-35% proteins: soybean meal, canola meal, meat meal
143
What makes up the macro-mineral component of the poultry diet
1-3% macro-minerals: salt, limestone, dicalcium phosphate
144
What makes up the micro-mineral component of the poultry diet
0.5% micro-minerals and vitamins (additives)
145
Which ingredient has the highest protein and AA content
Wheat
146
What is a problem with feeding wheat
Flour can cake feeders
147
What is a problem with feeding barley
Beta glucans increase viscosity when mixed with water
148
What important ingredient does corn contain
xanthophylls = yellow pigment
149
Where does the yellow pigment of the yolk come from
corn
150
What is a problem with feeding rye
Water soluble, highly viscous, so it make sticky fecal matter that sticks to vent
151
Which amino acids are able to limit growth and reproduction
Methionine and cysteine and lysine
152
What kind of meal is most used in diet
Soybean meal
153
What are the types of meal that can be used in feed
Soybean meal
Canola meal
Pea meal
154
what types of ANIMAL meal can be used in feed
- Blood meal
- Feather meal
- Fish meal
- Meat and bone meal
- Poultry by-product meal
155
What macrominerals are needed in diet
Salt
Calcium
phosphorus
156
What micro minerals/vitamins are needed in diet
- copper, iron, iodine, maganese
- Fat soluble vitamins (ADEK)
- Water soluble vitamins (B)
157
What are the main classes of health risks
- Parasite
- Viruses
- Bacterial/ Fungi/ Endotoxins
- Metabolic disorders
158
What are the roles of environmental control to mitigate health risks
- Ventilation (air quality)
- Temperature control
- Humidity (little moisture)
- Sanitation
159
How to prevent health risks
- Vaccination
- Surveillance
- BIOSECURITY
- Environmental control
160
Why does air quality/ ventilation need to be controlled
- Bird and heaters produce CO2
- Birds produce humidity
- Manure on litter produces ammonia
- Dust particles in air
161
What are the air quality requirements
- Humidity between 55% to 65%
- Ammonia < 20 PPM
- CO2 < 5000 PPM
162
What do farms have for ventilation
- Longitudinal ventilation
- Tunnel ventilation
- Cross ventilation
163
What percentage should litter moisture be between
30% and 70%
164
What happens when litter moisture is too dry
- Increases small dust particles
- may interfere with vaccine against coccidiosis that rely on cycling the parasite
165
What happens when litter moisture is too high
- increases the half life and multiplication of bacteria and parasites
- increases ammonia levels in the air
- Litter clumps/ cakes and increases the incidence of feet dermatitis
166
What are types of bedding for chickens
- Pine wood shaving (most popular)
-straw/hay
- peat moss
167
What type of bedding is most popular and why
Pine wood shaving is most popular because it is very good for moisture control
168
What is coccidiosis
Parasites caused by protozoa
- found in soil
- transmitted through feces
- colonizes the digestive system causing major damage to mucosa
169
How long does it take coccidiosis to set in
4-7 days
170
What are sign of coccidiosis infection
- Reduced feed consumption
- rapid weight loss
- lethargy
- ruffled feathers
- severe diarrhea
171
What to do if chicken have coccidiosis
- Vaccinate
- use anticoccidial compounds in feed or water
- amprolium treatment
172
What are the most common viruses in poultry
- Newcastle disease
- Infectious bronchitis
- Infectious laryngotracheitis
- Lymphoid leucosis
- Mareks disease
- Avian influenza
173
What is New castle disease
- Highly contagious
- passed through droppings and respiratory discharge
- High mortality rate (3-5 days)
- No cure but there is a vaccine
- Symptom is twisted neck
174
What is infectious bronchitis
Caused by airborne covid
- only affects chickens
- blocks airways in chicks
- reduces egg production and quality in layers
- no cure but vaccine
175
What is infectious larygotracheitis
- Herpes
- Incubation period of 12 days (can be carried from farm to farm)
- 1% mortality per day
- 10-50% decrease in egg production
- no cure but vaccine
176
What is avian influenza
- Transmitted through airborne virus particles from the respiratory tract, droppings, and surface contact
- High pathogenic
- virus mutates to acquire the ability to infect and be transmitted by animals
- No cure or vaccine
177
Why are bacterial infections a big problem
They can infect birds but also contaminate food
178
How do bacterial infections usually come to be
They are often secondary infections following parasite or viral infections
179
How can bacterial infections be treated
Using antibiotics but it can be hard with AMR increasing
180
What substances contaminate food and what are they
Mycotoxins,
toxic substances produced by molds and fungi on plants or during storage
181
What are common toxins that contaminate food
- Aflatoxins
- Type A and B trichothecenes
- Fumonisins
182
What is vertical vs horizontal transmission
Vertical
(Breeder --> egg --> chick)
Horizontal (bird to bird)
183
What is the cleaning process for broilers
- cleaning the barn
- cleaning the equipment
- cleaning water lines
- disinfecting
- down time
184
What are the risks of built up litter
- Can be a pathogen incubator
- Much harder to control humidity/ammonia levels
- Need to ensure sufficient down time
185
What type of clean is required for layers in Canada
Dry clean is required in between flocks and some farmers may do a wet clean
186
What is the minimum down time in between flocks
7 days
187
What is dry cleaning
Physical removal of organic material (feed, litter, and manure) through blowing/scraping
188
What is wet cleaning
Use of pressure washing (500-800 psi) to remove organic material
189
What is an important factor of wet cleaning
Needs rapid drying to prevent bacterial growth
190
What is disinfection
-Spray or fumigation
- Using disinfectants (aldehydes, chlorine, etc)
191
Which viruses are most effected by disinfection
Lipid enveloped viruses and gram-positive bacteria
192
Which viruses are the least affected by disinfectant
Spores and parasites
193
What are vaccination protocols
- Commercial hatcheries can provide the first round of vaccines
- Rest is done on farm following guidelines
- Boosters are required for best effectiveness
- Some vaccines delivered by eye drop, other by injections, and some via water/feed
194
What is the goal of biosecurity
- prevent entry of pathogens in the barn
- Prevent the spread of pathogen when present in the barn
195
What is access control
Controlling access to the premises:
- signage
- ensure barns are locked and in good conditions
- Have clear instructions for visitors
196
What is the protocol for getting in and out of the barn for biosecurity
- Identify clean and dirty zone
- Change footwear
- Use of foot bath
- *sometimes require shower in/out
- have a log book with contact info of all persons entering the farm
197
What is the purpose of cleaning the barn between flocks
- Clean out dirty litter and debris
- prevent disease spread
- reduce pathogens/bacteria and control pests
198
What is the purpose of disinfecting the barn
-Disease prevention
- reduces contamination
- Kills viruses
199
What are commercial feed mills governed by
- Health Canada
- CIA
- Animal Nutrition Association of Canada
200
What are the goals of commercial feed mills
- Safety/ consistency
- High quality/ nutritional
- Economical/ sustainable
201
What medications are in feed
Preventative medications (prophylaxis)
Therapeutic medication
(metaphylaxis)
202
How does a feed company work (8 steps)
1. Purchasing
2. Diet formulation
3. Raw ingredient receiving
4. Particle size reduction
5. Mixing
6. Further processing
7. Labelling and packaging
8. Shipping
203
What determines breeding direction
Desirable traits:
- Breast meat yield
- Body weight
- Feed efficiency
- Egg production
204
What is used for data collection
RFID (radio frequency identification)
205
What factors are important for housing poultry
- Thermal comfort
- Controlled lighting
-Automated feeding and water
- Manure handling
- Hygiene and air quality
- Automated egg collection
206
What is the behavioural biology of jungle fowls
- Each group has a regular roosting site and foraging area
- Chickens can recognize other individuals and maintain a pecking order
- Hens build a nest and lay a clutch of eggs then incubates until hatch
207
What behaviours did chickens not keep from jungle fowls
Retained the majority of wild type behaviours except for broodiness/incubation
208
What are the four behavioural needs of domesticated chickens
Nesting
Perching
Dustbathing
Foraging
209
Explain nesting behaviour in domesticated chickens
- Hen lays and egg then searches for a nest site
- Most hens are motivated and prefer to lay in a nest box
210
Explain perching behaviour in domesticated chickens
- Jungle fowls used to roost in high places to avoid predators and hens still like to roost on perches
- Access to perching increases bone strength
211
Explain dustbathing behaviour in domesticated chickens
- On litter, chickens must bathe every 2-3 days
- Functions to remove lipids and parasites and keep plumage in good condition
- Hens dust bathe on wire floors
212
Explain the foraging behaviour in domesticated chickens
- Searching for food by pecking and scratching
- Birds selected for high productivity forage less but are still motivated to preform some
- Providing foraging substrate reduces the risk of feather pecking
213
What are housing systems for laying hens
Cages
- conventional cages
- enriched colonies
Non- cage systems
- Single tiered and multi-tiered
Outdoor - free range
214
What are conventional cages for laying hens
- Small wire enclosure about 7 hens
- Feeders, drinkers, and sloped floor
- Manure belt under the cage
215
What are the requirements of conventional cages due to the code of practice
- Floor space allowance
- Feeder space allowance
- Drinkers
216
What are enriched colonies in housing systems for laying hens
Enriched colonies = furnished cages
- Includes nest box, perches, scratch matt (used to be litter for dust bathing)
217
What are the advantages/disadvantages of furnished cages
ADVANTAGES
- Provide the hygiene and health benefits of conventional cages
- Perches and more space increase bone strength
- Furnishings support some of the behaviour patterns shows to be important to hens
DISADVANTAGES
- Increased risk of broken bones
218
What are the requirements of furnished cages (code of practice)
- Floor space
- Nest space
- Perches
- Scratch matt
219
What are the requirements of non-cage systems (code of practice)
- Floor space
- nest space
- perches
- litter
220
What are the advantages and disadvantages of non -cage/ outdoor systems
ADVANTAGES
- Provide more space and opportunities to engage in a full range of behaviour
DISADVANTAGES
- Increased risk of poor hygiene and broken bones
- problems like emaciation, feather pecking, and pilling/smothering
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What are the housing systems for layer pullets
- Conventional rearing cages
- Non-cage systems
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What are rearing cages for layer pullets
- Chicks and pullets destined for conventional cages are typically reared in small barren cages
- Temperature and lighting adjusted as the bird grows
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What do single tier-floor barns look like for layer pullets
- Usually litter floors
-sometimes perches
- Temp and lighting adjusted as birds grow
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What are rearing aviaries for layer pullets
- Hens housed in complex aviaries must be reared in complex environments
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What are the advantages of rearing aviaries
- Advances spatial cognition, improves 3-D use of space and reduces fearfulness
- Rearing in aviaries affects bone and muscle development
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What are the housing systems for broiler chickens
All are non cage systems
- Litter floors
- Feeders
- Drinkers
- Temp changes as bird grows
- 23 hr lighting
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What is the definition of animal welfare
The physical and mental state of an animal in relation to the conditions in which it lives and dies
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What are the five freedoms
1. Freedom from hunger, malnutrition and thirst
2. Freedom from fear and distress
3. Freedom from heat stress or physical discomfort
4. Freedom from pain, injury and disease
5. Freedom to express normal patterns of behaviour
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What are key welfare issues for all species
1. Housing environments that restrict movement and/or expression of innate motivated behaviour
2. Health problems resulting from genetic selection for extreme phenotypes
3. Practices that cause pain or distress
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What are the priority welfare issues for laying hens
- Housing
- Injurious pecking
- Beak trimming
- Bone health
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What are the factors of feather pecking
- Increases with age - can start with the rearing flock
- Causes feather damage
- Reduces efficiency
- Causes pain and discomfort
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What are the causes of feather pecking
- Genetics
- Housing and management
- dysfunctional behaviour
- Fear, stress, brain neurotransmitters and microbiota
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Why is/is not beak trimming a thing
- Effective way to reduce injury and mortality from feather pecking
- Is a welfare issue itself
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Why is the beak important
- The beak is a sensory organ
- It is used for pecking, grasping, and moving objects
- Is also very important for finding food and detecting chemical and thermal stimuli in the environment
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What is inside the beak
- Numerous mechanoreceptors
- Nociceptors
- Trigeminal receptors
- Free nerve endings
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What is the process for traditional beak trimming
- Hot blade cauterizes
- 1/3 to 1/2 of the beak
- Causes acute pain and can cause chronic pain in older birds
- Age and severity determines pain
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What does the code a practice say for beak trimming
- Has to be before 10 days of age unless its an emergency
- Has to have vet oversight and consultation
- Only preformed by trained persons
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What is infrared beak treatment
- Precision exposure of beak to infrared beam
- Beak tip sloughs in a week to 10 days
- Causes less acute pain
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How does osteoporosis and broken bones affect poultry welfare
- They are a major problem in the modern laying hen
- Selection for high egg production makes them more prone
- Being in cages causes a lack of load bearing exercise making their bones weaker
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What are keel bone fractures
- Keel bone is the sternum which is the site of muscle attachment for wings
- there can be high rates of keel bone fractures
- Painful for hens
- happens from falls and collisions
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What are priority welfare issues for broiler chickens
- Housing
- Selection for fast growth and large breast size
- Feed restriction of breeders
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What are the housing conditions for broilers
- Stocking densities become high as birds approach market weight
- Environmental effects due to stocking is more important than "crowding"
- High stocking density reduces air and litter quality and increases contact dermatitis
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By how much was broiler growth increased from 1957-2005
By over 400%
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What are the concerns of reduced mobility
- Pain, discomfort
- Altered gait due to changed conformation
- Ammonia burns to skin, Increased contact with litter
- difficulty reaching for food and water
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What are the factors of restricted feeding of breeding stock
- If allowed to eat to appetite chickens develop health and reproductive problems
- Up to 75% of feed intake is restricted during rearing
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What are the consequences of restricted feeding of broiler breeders
- Signs of chronic hunger
- Aggresion at feeding
- pecking at drinkers
- Feather pecking
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What are the solutions to the problems that comes with restricted feeding for broiler breeds
- Feeding bulky, low nutrient diets to increase time spent feeding and reduce hunger
- Slower growing strains
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What is the process for slaughter
Rearing
I
Transportation
I
Lairage
I
Shackling
I
Stunning
I
Neck cutting
I
Scalding
I
Evisceration
I
Washing
I
Chilling
I
Packaging
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What is the transportation step of meat slaughter
Catching crews collect and load birds, usually at night
Load birds using modular loading
Trucking depends on time and weather condition
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What is the importance of catching/transport
Producers get Paid on carcass quality
- Physical damage, stress induced quality issues affect quality
-Catching and transport is coordinated with the processing plant to avoid unnecessary lairage time
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What is the stunning and shackling step of meat slaughter
Stunning
- Render birds unconscious before bleeding them
Either electrical stunning or controlled atmosphere stunning
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What is electrical stunning vs controlled atmosphere stunning
Electrical
- Water baths
- Birds shackled while conscious
- May pass through without stunning
Controlled atmosphere stunning
- Anesthetized with CO2 crate moved into tunnel for stunning
- shackled after unconscious
